Trainer Greg Eurell and the large ownership group of Proprietary did not know what to expect when they took the three-year-old to Mornington for his debut race.
But Eurell and connections need not have worried as the gelding registered an easy win in the Mornington Car & Tyre Services Plate (1200m) on Wednesday.
A pick-up ride for Ethan Brown, Proprietary ($8) registered a 2-¾ length win from Memphis Shadow ($4.60) with Release The Brakes ($14) a half-head away third.
Eurell expects Proprietary to improve as the races get longer while also adding the race day experience will do the gelding the world of good.
“He’s a progressive horse that we think stepping up in distance will be more suitable to him, so today was a nice bonus,” Eurell said.
“He’s a horse that needs confidence and we were worried about how he would jump today.
“Had he got back and had horses around him and got cluttered up, he hasn’t got the confidence to overcome that and be a bit braver.
“We were hoping he would jump well and get into a forward position, which he did, and it all unfolded from there.
“The horse has always shown ability, but experience can bring them undone quickly.
“We really want to step him up in distance, so hopefully he hangs in there for a few more runs.”
Brown picked-up the ride after Daniel Moor was doubly engaged and ironically his mount, Romanova, was a scratching from the race.
Wednesday’s race was not the first time Brown had been aboard Proprietary.
“I sat on him last prep and he was very raw,” Brown said.
“He gave me the feel of being a nice horse and the team have done a good job to get him up and fit and to the races today.
“He was positive out of the gates, he travelled well throughout but was probably waiting for them a little bit, but there was a bit of merit to that win.”